Albert Ellis
Born 1913 · Age 112
American psychologist and psychotherapist; founder of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and the Albert Ellis Institute; major figure in the cognitive revolution in psychotherapy.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Albert Ellis born to Harry and Hattie Ellis; eldest of three children.
Hospitalized with kidney disease
At age five Ellis was hospitalized with a kidney disease; part of many childhood health problems.
Multiple childhood hospitalizations
Between ages 5 and 7 Ellis had eight hospitalizations (one lasting nearly a year); tonsillitis led to severe streptococcal infection and emergency surgery.
Earned BA in Business (City College of New York)
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business from the City College of New York (then City College Downtown).
Early business career and fiction writing attempts
Worked in business and pursued fiction writing during the Great Depression; had limited success publishing fiction.
Shift to non-fiction on human sexuality
Researching/writing nonfiction on human sexuality led friends to ask him for advice and influenced decision to enter clinical psychology.
Began PhD studies at Teachers College, Columbia University
Enrolled in PhD program in clinical psychology at Teachers College (Columbia), which trained many psychoanalytically oriented therapists.
Started part-time private practice
Began part-time clinical practice before completing the PhD (licensing of psychologists not required in NY at that time).
Completed M.A. in Clinical Psychology
Received Master of Arts in clinical psychology from Teachers College in June 1943; began part-time private practice while continuing PhD.
Published critique of pencil-and-paper personality tests
Published a critique concluding only the MMPI met research-based standards among commonly used personality tests.
Awarded PhD in Clinical Psychology (Columbia)
Received PhD in clinical psychology from Columbia University; initially trained and practiced classical psychoanalysis.
Began Jungian analysis and supervision with Richard Hulbeck
Shortly after 1947 PhD he started a Jungian analysis and supervision program with Richard Hulbeck at the Karen Horney Institute.
Taught at NYU, Rutgers, and Pittsburg State Univ.; leading staff positions
Held teaching posts and staff roles while practicing; part of his early academic career after PhD.
Break with psychoanalysis — began calling himself a rational therapist
By January 1953 Ellis had completed his theoretical break with psychoanalysis and adopted a more active-directive therapeutic stance.
Began teaching rational techniques to other therapists
Started instructing other clinicians in his active-directive approach that would evolve into REBT.
Presented 'Rational Therapy' publicly
Presented rational therapy (RT), emphasizing that clients' personal philosophies often contained self-defeating beliefs.
Published How to Live with a Neurotic
One of Ellis's early books elaborating his therapeutic approach and case examples.
Published Sex Without Guilt
Classic book advocating liberal attitudes toward sexuality; influential in the American sexual revolution.
Founded Institute for Rational Living (non-profit)
Established the Institute for Rational Living in New York (later known as the Albert Ellis Institute); served as president.
Presented REBT paper at APA Convention in Chicago
Presented his new approach at the American Psychological Association convention; early exposure but limited immediate acceptance.
Published A Guide to Rational Living
Popular book outlining principles and practices of rational therapy; reached a broad public audience.
Published Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy (major REBT book)
First major book explicitly on REBT; widely cited and considered foundational for cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Published articles on sexuality and pornography controversy
Contributed to discussions about pornography and sexuality (e.g., writing for The Realist in 1964).
Filmed 'Three Approaches to Psychotherapy' (Gloria interview)
One of three therapists (with Rogers and Perls) who interviewed volunteer 'Gloria'; widely viewed training film.
Started Friday Night Workshops
Began leading public workshops (demonstration therapy sessions) which he continued through much of his life.
Institute chartered by NY State Board of Regents
The Institute for Rational Living (Albert Ellis Institute) was chartered as a training institute and psychological clinic.
Institute launched professional journal
In the late 1960s the institute launched a professional journal to disseminate REBT research and practice.
Served as President of multiple professional societies (general milestone)
Across his career Ellis held leading positions in many professional societies (e.g., Division of Consulting Psychology of the APA; Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality). Exact years spread across decades.
Named Humanist of the Year (American Humanist Association)
Recognized for his forthright nontheistic humanism and public advocacy.
Established 'The Living School' for children
In the early 1970s the institute established The Living School (curriculum incorporating RE(B)T) for children ages 6–13.
Published multiple clinical works (e.g., Overcoming Procrastination)
Continued prolific output of books and clinical manuals for therapists and the public in the 1970s.
Began integrity assessment and behavioral integrity research
From 1979 for two decades he researched behavioral integrity—honesty, loyalty, reliability—applying experimental methods.
Ranked 2nd most influential psychotherapist (professional survey)
1982 professional survey of American/Canadian psychologists placed Ellis second behind Carl Rogers and ahead of Freud.
APA Distinguished Professional Contributions Award
The American Psychological Association presented Ellis with an award for distinguished professional contributions.
ACA Professional Development Award (listed among honors)
Listed among the many awards and honors he received for contributions to psychotherapy and counseling.
Revised 'Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy' (updated edition)
Updated and revised his classic 1962 work to reflect later developments in REBT and CBT.
Outstanding Clinician Award (American Psychological Association)
Recognized by APA with an Outstanding Clinician Award (listed among later-career honors).
Published updated 'Sex Without Guilt in the Twenty-First Century'
Rewrote and updated his 1958 work to present later, more humanistic views on sexual ethics and advice for homosexuals.
Signer of the Humanist Manifesto and continued humanist advocacy
By 2003 he was listed as one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto and continued promoting probabilistic atheism/humanism.
90th birthday; congratulatory messages from world leaders
On his 90th birthday received messages from President George W. Bush, Senators Schumer and Clinton, Bill Clinton, Mayor Bloomberg, and the Dalai Lama.
Hospitalized; large intestine removed
Taken ill with serious intestinal problems in 2004, underwent hospitalization and removal of his large intestine; returned to work later.
Married Dr. Debbie Joffe
Married Australian psychologist Debbie Joffe (referred to as 'the greatest love of his life').
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognized by ABCT with a Lifetime Achievement Award (listed among his late-career honors).
Removed from duties and board of his institute
In 2005 he was removed from professional duties and the board of the Albert Ellis Institute after a management dispute.
Reinstated to institute board after civil proceedings
In January 2006 he won civil proceedings against board members and was reinstated to the institute's board.
Hospitalized with pneumonia (April 2006)
Hospitalized with pneumonia in April 2006 and spent more than a year shuttling between hospital and a rehab facility.
Lifetime publication tally noted
By the time of his death Ellis had authored/co-authored more than 80 books and approximately 1,200 articles (including ~800 scientific papers).
Filed suit against the Albert Ellis Institute
On June 6, 2007, lawyers for Albert Ellis filed a suit alleging breach of a long-term contract and sought recovery of institute property.
Died in New York City
Died on July 24, 2007 in his wife's arms at the top floor residence of the Albert Ellis Institute. Left a large body of work.
Autobiography 'All Out!' published (posthumous)
Autobiography 'All Out!' (Prometheus Books) published posthumously; includes contributions from Debbie Joffe Ellis who inherited his REBT legacy.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy book by Albert & Debbie Joffe Ellis released
In early 2011 APA released 'Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy' by Albert and Debbie Joffe Ellis as an accessible text on REBT.
Posthumous APA Award For Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology
At the 2013 American Psychological Association Convention, Ellis was posthumously awarded for his outstanding lifetime contributions.
Second edition of 'Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy' published (Debbie Joffe Ellis)
In 2019 Debbie Joffe Ellis updated and released a second edition of the REBT book to continue his legacy.
Key Achievement Ages
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